Penelope tells the suitors who ever string Odysseus’s bow can can marry her, though she knows no one except Odysseus can string it. After they string it they would have to aim the arrow through a line of 12 axes. The suitors all try, but fail. Odysseus then in disguise goes outside with Philoetius and Eumaeus and reveals himself to them, and in return they fight the suitors with him. Odysseus goes back inside, in disguise and asks if he can string the bow. Once he easily strings the bow, he flawlessly shoots the arrow though the axes.
Major Themes (and where they are): (Ali)
Growth and Development of Telemachus: Pg. 285 · Telemachus takes action and says that he is the man of the house now and that it is his decision to allow the “beggar” to shoot the arrow and that he was going to watch the men shoot the arrows as he told his mother to go to her room.
- Telemachus is about to be able to string the bow therefore his abilities are a lot like his father and he is now starting to come into his own.
Disguise: Pg. 280 · The entire time Telemachus was preparing for the Suitors to shoot their arrows, he disguised his knowing he was soon going to kill all of them and pretending not to be able to even string the bow.
Throughout the chapter- · Odysseus is still disguised as the beggar.
Loyalty: Pg. 278 · Odysseus laid the bow Iphitus gave him at home in memory of his friend instead of using it. · Penelope wept because she held Odysseus’ bow.
Pg. 279 · Eumaeus along with Philoetius wept at the sight of their friends bow.
Pg. 282 · After Odysseus revealed himself to Eumaeus and Philoetius, after all of this time, they still wept and were glad to see him back.
Homeric Hero: Throughout the chapter- · Odysseus is able to put together the final attack plan against the Suitors all without getting caught.
Hospitality: Pg. 277 & 278 · Iphitus gave Odysseus the bow and in return Odysseus gave him a sharp sword and strong spear as a link of friendship.
Pg. 284 · Penelope became upset when Antinous was disrespectful to the “beggar”.
Pg. 285 · Penelope and Telemachus retort to the Suitors when they will not allow the “beggar” to shoot the arrow.
Justice: Pg. 277 · Odysseus was sent to collect public debt when the sheep were stolen, along with their shepherds to their ships and Odysseus was trusted to retrieve justice for this action even though he was just a boy at the time.
Throughout the chapter- · None of the Suitors are able to complete the bow and axe challenge to win Penelope over and instead Odysseus puts together his attack plan.
Locations Traveled (and mentioned): (Olivia)
-The Palace in Ithaca
Study Guide Questions:
What does Athene inspire Penelope to do at the beginning of the chapter? (Raina) She prompts her to challenge the Suitors to the test with the bow and axes for her hand.
Briefly describe the story behind Odysseus’ bow. (Raina) Odysseus had been asked to go on a mission and bring back 300 sheep and some shepherds that were stolen by Messenians. He met Iphitus along the way, who was searching for 12 lost mares. They became friends and Iphitus gave him a bow that he received from his father and in return, Odysseus gave him a sword and spear. After Iphitus died, he brought the bow back to his home.
Explain the challenge Penelope gives to the suitors. (Raina) She says that the one Suitor who strings Odysseus’ bow and shoots an arrow throw every one of the 12 axes will win her hand in marriage and she shall abandon this home she always loves.
What does Telemachus do for the contest? (Raina) He digs a trench for the axes and buries the head of the axes in the trench in a neat line.
Why is Telemachus frustrated? (Raina)
He tries hard to string the bow, but he cannot do it. He believes that he is not as strong as his father.
What does Odysseus ask the cowman and the swineherd? (Madi)
He asks them to either side with him or side with the Suitors.
How do they respond? (Madi)
They say they will be on the side of Odysseus.
What does Odysseus do in return? (Madi)
He shows them who he really is and reveals himself as Odysseus to them.
What does Odysseus instruct the men to do? (Madi)
That all three of them will enter the palace, Odysseus leading. Then, Odysseus will ask to try the arrow and the axes and told them to prepare for the fight with the Suitors.
What is Eurymachus so upset about? (Caroline)
Because he couldn't string the bow.
What does Antinous compare Odysseus’ “drunken” suggestion to? (Caroline)
Eurytion the famous centaur
What does Penelope say she will give the beggar if he strings the bow? (Caroline)
Penelope says she will give the beggar a new cloak, tunic, javelin, two sided sword and sandals
What happens at the moment Odysseus strings the bow? (Caroline)
Chapter 21 - The Great Bow
Summary: (Maddie M)
Penelope tells the suitors who ever string Odysseus’s bow can can marry her, though she knows no one except Odysseus can string it. After they string it they would have to aim the arrow through a line of 12 axes. The suitors all try, but fail. Odysseus then in disguise goes outside with Philoetius and Eumaeus and reveals himself to them, and in return they fight the suitors with him. Odysseus goes back inside, in disguise and asks if he can string the bow. Once he easily strings the bow, he flawlessly shoots the arrow though the axes.Major Themes (and where they are): (Ali)
Growth and Development of Telemachus: Pg. 285· Telemachus takes action and says that he is the man of the house now and that it is his decision to allow the “beggar” to shoot the arrow and that he was going to watch the men shoot the arrows as he told his mother to go to her room.
- Telemachus is about to be able to string the bow therefore his abilities are a lot like his father and he is now starting to come into his own.
Disguise: Pg. 280
· The entire time Telemachus was preparing for the Suitors to shoot their arrows, he disguised his knowing he was soon going to kill all of them and pretending not to be able to even string the bow.
Throughout the chapter-
· Odysseus is still disguised as the beggar.
Loyalty: Pg. 278
· Odysseus laid the bow Iphitus gave him at home in memory of his friend instead of using it.
· Penelope wept because she held Odysseus’ bow.
Pg. 279
· Eumaeus along with Philoetius wept at the sight of their friends bow.
Pg. 282
· After Odysseus revealed himself to Eumaeus and Philoetius, after all of this time, they still wept and were glad to see him back.
Homeric Hero: Throughout the chapter-
· Odysseus is able to put together the final attack plan against the Suitors all without getting caught.
Hospitality: Pg. 277 & 278
· Iphitus gave Odysseus the bow and in return Odysseus gave him a sharp sword and strong spear as a link of friendship.
Pg. 284
· Penelope became upset when Antinous was disrespectful to the “beggar”.
Pg. 285
· Penelope and Telemachus retort to the Suitors when they will not allow the “beggar” to shoot the arrow.
Justice: Pg. 277
· Odysseus was sent to collect public debt when the sheep were stolen, along with their shepherds to their ships and Odysseus was trusted to retrieve justice for this action even though he was just a boy at the time.
Throughout the chapter-
· None of the Suitors are able to complete the bow and axe challenge to win Penelope over and instead Odysseus puts together his attack plan.
Locations Traveled (and mentioned): (Olivia)
-The Palace in Ithaca
Study Guide Questions:
What does Athene inspire Penelope to do at the beginning of the chapter? (Raina)
She prompts her to challenge the Suitors to the test with the bow and axes for her hand.
Briefly describe the story behind Odysseus’ bow. (Raina)
Odysseus had been asked to go on a mission and bring back 300 sheep and some shepherds that were stolen by Messenians. He met Iphitus along the way, who was searching for 12 lost mares. They became friends and Iphitus gave him a bow that he received from his father and in return, Odysseus gave him a sword and spear. After Iphitus died, he brought the bow back to his home.
Explain the challenge Penelope gives to the suitors. (Raina)
She says that the one Suitor who strings Odysseus’ bow and shoots an arrow throw every one of the 12 axes will win her hand in marriage and she shall abandon this home she always loves.
What does Telemachus do for the contest? (Raina)
He digs a trench for the axes and buries the head of the axes in the trench in a neat line.
Why is Telemachus frustrated? (Raina)
He tries hard to string the bow, but he cannot do it. He believes that he is not as strong as his father.
What does Odysseus ask the cowman and the swineherd? (Madi)
He asks them to either side with him or side with the Suitors.
How do they respond? (Madi)
They say they will be on the side of Odysseus.
What does Odysseus do in return? (Madi)
He shows them who he really is and reveals himself as Odysseus to them.
What does Odysseus instruct the men to do? (Madi)
That all three of them will enter the palace, Odysseus leading. Then, Odysseus will ask to try the arrow and the axes and told them to prepare for the fight with the Suitors.
What is Eurymachus so upset about? (Caroline)
Because he couldn't string the bow.
What does Antinous compare Odysseus’ “drunken” suggestion to? (Caroline)
Eurytion the famous centaur
What does Penelope say she will give the beggar if he strings the bow? (Caroline)
Penelope says she will give the beggar a new cloak, tunic, javelin, two sided sword and sandals
What happens at the moment Odysseus strings the bow? (Caroline)
A thunderclap from Zeus